
It is possible to strike a match and in a brief time turn a building or a
forest into an inferno from that small flame. History and our own experi-
ence offer many examples of the great matters "a little fire [a word] can
kindle." Most of us have witnessed how a word, spoken by a husband, a
wife, a father or mother, a son or daughter, ingnites a family conflict and
brings bitterness, heartache, unhappiness, alienation, and remorse.
"The largest share of the annoyances of life, its daily corroding cares,
its heartaches, its irritation, is the result of a temper uncontrolled. The
harmony of the domestic circle is often broken by a hasty word and abu-
sive language. How much better were it left unsaid. One smile of plea-
sure, one peaceful, approving word spoken in the spirit of meekness,
would be a power to soothe, to comfort, and to
bless."—Testimonies,
vol. 4, p. 348.
MATCHING: In order to better understand what James means in verse 6
by the tongue (1) defiling the body, (2) setting on fire the "course of
nature," (3) being "set on fire of hell," insert the correct number from the
choices given above before the statements that follow:
The tongue is under the control of Satan.
People's lives are often set aflame by anger.
Causes loss of control of the whole body.
Through James the Lord expresses strong feelings about the evils of
the tongue. James' language here is vigorous and positive, springing from
intense convictions. However, it is somewhat difficult to know precisely
what he means, although the thrust of his words is fairly obvious.
The tongue, he seems to say, is the "spokesperson" for the evil charac-
teristics of a fallen world, which characteristics are found in each unregener-
ate person: idolatry, covetousness, lust, envy, and scores of others. Then,
switching his thinking somewhat, he says that the tongue, because it is an
instrument to speak for sin, defiles the total body. Returning to his "fire"
theme, he suggests that all of life's experiences are affected for evil by the
tongue. He climaxes his statement by insisting that the tongue was ignited
by hell (the symbol of Satan's control). By this he doubtless means that
Satan inflames the passions and directs the thoughts expressed by an
unconsecrated or unguarded tongue.
Does James 3:8 mean that the human tongue cannot be controlled? Give
reasons for your answer.
James is thinking of a particular type of tongue, one that is "a world of
iniquity," that "setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of
hell" (verse 6). It is that kind of tongue that cannot be tamed.
In reality, the tongue becomes, for James, the representative of the
whole unregenerate person. Of itself, the tongue is perfectly neutral. It is
an organ used by the mind and emotions to express thoughts and feelings,
which may be either good or evil. As fire can be used to warm a cold man,
or burn down his house, so the tongue can be used to bless or to curse. It
expresses only what is in the heart. (Compare Matt. 12:34.)
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